Electrical annunciator



(No Model.)

. F. W. ROSS.

ELECTRICAL ANNUNGIATOR.

No. 521,046. Patented June 5, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FREDERICK W. ROSS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRICGAS LIGHTING COMPANY, OF MAINE.

ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 521,046, dated une 5,1894.

Application filed January 12, 1894. Serial No. 496,634- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. Ross, a

a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, Massachusetts, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Electrical Annunciators, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrical annunciators in which an index-handis controlled by a lever, and the movements of the lever are controlledby the armature of a single electro-magnet to release the same andthereby move an index-finger; the apparatus being replaced by means of alift; and being an im provement upon or variations from such apparatusas is shown in my application of October 6, 1893, Serial No. 487,372,wherein Letters Patent were allowed November 14., 1893.

My present invention consists in the construction of certain of theparts andin the combination of the parts andis illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein similar letters and numerals refer tosimilar parts,which are properly constructed and combined into anoperative apparatus, several of which are usually connected within acase having a faceplate with the index-fingers upon the outer side,according to a construction too wellknown to require furtherexplanation.

Under my invention, I am enabled to use some modifications insub-combination which will also be illustrated in the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of one form of construction-showing the helixand its armature core, when said core operates by force of gravity. Fig.2 is a side View of the same. Fig. 3 is the front view after the magnethas been energized retracting the core and allowing the index-finger tofall. Fig 4. is a sectional view of a form of construction wherein thearmature core is controlled by a spring instead of by gravity, in whichit will be understood that the core is drawn within the magnet againstthe force of the spring instead of against the force of gravity as inFig. 3.

' To explain the construction of my invention, the standard A isproperly fastened to the back of the face-plate B or, of course, thehelix may be directly attached-" as in Fig. 2. The helix Z is preferablya wooden spool. The armature core C is movable within the spool and ismade to normally protrude slightlyjherefrom by means of gravity, as inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, or by a spring as in Fig. 4, and to thereby engagedirectly or indirectly with lever B, mounted upon one end of a spindle Esupported by and rotating within a sleeve F and carrying theindex-finger G upon the front of the plate B as shown by dotted lines.Lever D in substantially the form shown is so constructed that when theapparatus isin normal condition, if constructed as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,the catch K on the extension of lever H controlled by armature core C,or if constructed as in Fig. 4, the armature core itself, will catch inthe ratchet 2 of lever D. The falling end of lever D is made heavyenough to secure that result. If desired to operate by gravity as inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, upon the end of the movable armature core C is a smallpinhead 1, which fits into a slot in the top of a flat lever H,

pivoted loosely upon a standard I, whose ex tension below the same isprovided with a catch K at about half its length below which is attachedaweighted end L. The fan-shaped end of weighted lever D has a ratchet 2cut therein, into which the catch K is adapted to gear to retain theweighted lever readyfor operation. If desired to operate by a springinstead of gravity, the armature core is moved by a spring which isshown as a helical spring 0, which holds the armaturecoresomewhatprojecting from the helix by means of its head 0', the useof which will, of course, make unnecessary the pinhead 1 and spring Hwith its ratchet and weighted end as an intermediate connection betweenthe armature core and the weighted lever.

Whichever modification of this construction may be preferred, theoperation of the apparatus is as follows, it being assumed that one ormore of these devices are placed in an annunciator case and properlyconnected with a battery in the manner too wellknown to requireexplanation. When any helix Z is energized, its armature core 0 will bedrawn into the helix against the resistance of either gravity or aspring and it, or the intermediate connecting piece, will consequentlybe withdrawn from the ratchet 2, al

lowing the heavier end of the lever D to drop, revolving the spindle Eand so turning the index finger G upon the face-plate to point in anydesired direction. Upon the helix being de-energized, the spring orgravity will withdraw the armature core to normal position. Restorationof the lever D, to normal position may be accomplished by an ordinarylift whose handle protrudes below the case and whose arms elevate theweighted lever until caught by the armature or its intermediateconnection by means of the ratchet 2, thus restoring the apparatus to a"condition for use. An alarm bell is usually connected in circuit withthe helices being placed in a well known manner in the annunciator case.

Having thus described my invention, What Iclaim, and seek to protect byLetters Patent, is-

1. In an electrical aununciator, the combination of a single helixhorizontally attached to the face-plate; a horizontal movablearmaturecore of said helix; and means normally operating to hold saidcore partially beyond said helix; a tripping lever with ends of unequalweight and provided at one end with a ratchet; an index-spindlesupported outside of said magnet, and one end carrying said trippinglever; an index-finger upon the opposite end of saidindex-spindleasleeve or support for said index-spindle; all so combinedthat electrically energizing said helix will draw said core fartherwithin the same and will release the tripping lever; substantially asdescribed.

2. In an electrical annunciator, a single helix having a slidingarmature-core and mounted horizontally upon the face-plate; a device forholding said core normally beyond said helix; an unequally balancedlever carried upon a spindle, and having a ratchet adaptingitto betripped by said core; asleeve, outside of said helix, and attached tothe face-plate and a spindle within the same, one end carrying saidlever; an index-finger carried upon the opposite end of said spindle;all substantially as described.

3. In an electrical annunciator, the combination of a horizontal magnetand a core movable therein, and means for normally holding said corebeyond said magnet, an, unequally Weighted lever upon the opposite sideof the magnet from the index-finger, and adapted to be normally retainedby means of said core; an index-finger and a spindle properly mountedoutside of said horizontal magnet, and serving to both carry saidindex-fiuger and said lever upon its opposite ends, all substantially asdescribed.

In witness whereof I hereunto sign my name, in the presence of twoWitnesses, this 4th.day of January, 1894.

FREDERICK W. ROSS.

Witnesses:

EDW. P. PAYSON, A EDENISON.

